Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 104

Author: Lewis Publishing Company. cn
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1094

USA > Ohio > Ashtabula County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 104
USA > Ohio > Geauga County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 104
USA > Ohio > Lake County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake > Part 104

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

A. Strauss, a substantial business man of Sweden, Ashtabula county, Ohio, was born in Hungary, March 22, 1854. He received a lim- ited education in his native land, and when nineteen years of age emigrated to the United States, to try his fortune in a new country. He landed in New York city. whence he came direct to Cleveland, where he was vari- ously engaged at anything which would pro- vide him with the necessaries of life. Among other things he tried peddling, at which he spent the greater part of his time. He was also employed as canal boy and worked on the coal dyke at Fairport, besides sometimes working on a farm. Thus in every way open to him he sought to earn an honest living. It was while on a peddling expedition to Ashtabula Harbor that he became impressed with the opportunities afforded for an ener- getic business man to make money. Acting upon this idea, he immediately unloaded his little wagon into a building, and this consti- tuted his first stock of goods. As he was prospered, he enlarged his business, and as his surplus funds increased beyond the re-

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quirements of his store, he invested in real estate in the Harbor, which by its rise in value has placed him among the most sub- stantial men of the city.

He was married in September, 1885, to Miss Fannie Berkwitz, a most estimable lady, and, like himself, a native of Hungary. They have two interesting children: Mollie and Bertha.

Politically, Mr. Strauss is a strong Repub- lican, and is quite active in molding sentiment in his vicinity in favor of his party. Frater- nally, he affiliates with the Odd Fellows. As a business man and citizen, he is character- ized by honesty and enterprise, and has ma- terially aided in advancing the interests of his favorite city.

H S. HUNT, a prominent and esteemed business man of Jefferson, Ohio, was born in Orleans county, New York, October 3, 1815. His parents, Joseph L. and Lydia (Davenport) Hunt, were natives of Vermont, in which State they mere mar- ried. This worthy couple removed to New York State in an early day, settling in the for- est on the banks of Lake Ontario, among the Indians. Thence they later removed to Or- leans county, in the same State, and, in 1833, joined the westward emigration to Ohio, set- tling in Ashtabula county. They afterward removed to Illinois, where both parents died. The father was a farmer all his life, and he and his worthy wife were the parents of ten children.

The subject of this sketch was reared in his native county, receiving the educational advantages afforded by the pioneer schools, and learned the trade of carpentry, at which he worked during the earlier years of his life. In 1837, four years after his parents'

removal to Ashtabula county, Ohio, Mr. Hunt also came West, settling in Hartsgrove township. In the fall of 1850, he removed thence to Jefferson, where he has since re- sided. He was engaged in carpentry and house building until 1857, at which time he entered the furniture business, which he has since successfully followed. He began life with limited means and has acquired his present comfortable income by energy and perseverance.

In 1838 Mr. Hunt was married to Miss Harriet White, and they had three children, two of whom now survive. In 1845 the family were called upon to mourn the loss of the devoted wife and mother, an estimable woman who left many friends to mourn her loss. In 1846, Mr. Hunt married Fidelia Little, a lady of domestic tastes, and they had one child. In 1855 death again entered the household, this time again claiming the faith- ful helpmate. In 1877, Mr. Hunt was mar- ried to Lucy Fuller, who now presides over his household.

Politically, Mr. Hunt has been for many years identified with the Republican party. He is an earnest and useful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to the aid of which he contributes of his means and influ- ence. As a business man and citizen, Mr. Hunt is upright, energetic and progressive, and with commendable public spirit is ever ready to aid in the material and moral ad- vancement of his favorite city, in which he takes a deep interest.

C APTAIN HENRY JAMES BLAIR. -As an old sailor of the great lakes and an early settler of Ashtabula, Ohio, the subject of this sketch is widely and fav- orably known.

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He is of New England ancestry, his pater- nal grandfather having been a native of Mas- sachusetts, whence he removed to Pennsyl- vania, in 1818. His five children were: Joseph C., father of the subject of this sketch; Lyman; William, who was killed by a falling tree at Erie, Pennsylvania; Polly, who married Mr. Morey; and Amanda, who became the wife of Mr. Hull. Joseph C., his son, was also born in Massachusetts and early learned the shoemaker's trade, in the prosecution of which he visited many cities and States, in the gratification of a naturally roving disposition. His wife, nee Lydia White, was a daughter of James White, of French ancestry, a farmer by occupation, who emigrated from New Jersey to Pennsyl- vania in an early day. He was twice married and had by his first union three sons, David, Joshua and James, all of whom moved to western Ohio when that country was new. The mother of the subject of this sketch died in 1837, after which the family saw little of the father, who died near St. Charles, Iowa, in 1843, aged about fifty-five years.

The subject of this notice was born in Mc- Kean, Erie county, Pennsylvania, March 21, 1831, where his earlier years were passed. At the age of five he accompanied his father to Pontiac, Michigan, whence he returned in 1838 to McKean, which was his home until 1844. He then came to Ashtabula to live with his uncle, James Blair, an old lake cap- tain, who died in the fall of the same year. Thus the subject of this sketch was once more left alone in the world, and the follow- ing year of 1845 found him starting in life for himself as cook on the lake boat "T. W. Morris," commanded by Captain Asbury Wiard. He continued on this boat part of two seasons, when he changed to a small ves- sel of the same company, going before the

mast. He next sailed on the schooner Sarah A. Green, after which he was on many other boats in various capacities, from mate to Captain, scouring all the waters of the great lakes from Duluth to Buffalo, and even down the Niagara river to Tonawanda, New York. Captain Blair became commander of a vessel in the fall of 1856, and continued in that po- sition as long as he was on the water, termi- nating his service in 1879. He then entered the employ of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad Company as bridge car- penter, working during the fall and winter, and was thus engaged during those seasons, except in the winter of 1849, 1856, and two other years. Since 1844 he has resided per- manently in Ashtabula and has contributed much toward ber advancement by his un- abated industry and devotion to her cause.

June 12, 1860, Captain Blair was married at Mechanicsville, Pennsylvania, by the Rev. Mr. Cole, to Miss Cordelia V. Jefford, a lady of many estimable traits of character, daugh- ter of Eber R. and Elmyra (Wood) Jefford. Her father was born in 1803, and was in early life a ship carpenter and calker, but later fol- lowed farming. On the outbreak of the war, although not subject to military duty, he was yet imbued with so much patriotism that he enlisted in Edgarton's battery, organized in Cleveland, and went to the front. He then worked, fought and starved with the younger men of his company until his constitution gave way and he died, and is buried in the national cemetery at Nashville, Tennessee. His wife, five years younger than himself, survived him until 1887. They were a worthy couple and he was one of nature's noblemen. Their eight children were: Susan, who mar- ried Mr. Brown; James; Eunice, married to Sheldon Harmon; Jane, wife of M. C. Wright, at Jefferson, Ohio; Cordelia V., wife

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of Captain Blair; John; Edward, residing in Lock, Ohio; Friend and Webster. Captain and Mrs. Blair have six children: James A .; Joseph C., a tug master; Lydia Loverne, wife of H. M. Kunkle; John, a motor man ; Frank, in the engraving department of Ashtabula; and Charles, employed in the leather factory in the same city.

Socially, the Captain is a blue lodge Mason, and religiously the family are Episcopalians. The Captain has emerged from many discour- agements into the bright light of financial prosperity by his own indefatigable perse- verance and industry, and is most worthy of the high regard in which he is universally held.

ILBERT A. RICHARDS, who is well known throughout Geauga county and who is ranked with the wealthy farmers of Auburn township, was born here, November 8, 1825. Of his life and ancestry the following facts have been gleaned :

Austin Richards, his father, a native of Massachusetts, was married in that State, and in 1818 moved to Ohio. He first went to New York State, making the journey by ox team and after spending two years there came on to Ohio, completing the trip with horses. Upon his arrival in Geauga county, he bought a tract of wild land and built a log cabin. There were few settlers here at that time, and no roads at all. They found their way from one place to another by blazed trees. Mr. Richards helped to chop down trees and make some of the first highways. He did his trad- ing at Chardon, going back and forth on horseback. He was a man of strong consti- tution and was not afraid of hard work. Not only did he clear seventy-five acres of his own land, but he also cleared considerable land

for others. He died here, at the age of sev-

enty-five. He and his wife, whose maiden name was Sallie Chadrick, and who was a native of Massachusetts, had nine children, seven of whom reached adult years. Mrs. Richards lived to be eighty-eight. They were among the early members of the Free- will Baptist Church here. In politics, Mr. Richards was first a Whig and afterward an Abolitionist.

Gilbert A. Richards was the youngest son and eighth child in this family. His educa- tion was that received in the log schoolhouse of the period, and when he was only sixteen he launched out in business for himself, buying his time of his father for $75. He worked out by the day and month until he was twenty- one. After his marriage he bought his father's old homestead of twenty-three acres, and set- tled upon the same. In 1856 he purchased the old Oliver Snow farm, where he has since lived. From time to time, as he was able, he made additional purchases until he became the owner of over 550 acres. Recently, how- ever, he divided some of his land with his children, retaining 230 acres. He never made any money by speculating. All he has has been earned by honest toil. He has been engaged in general farming and stock-raising, keeping a large dairy and giving special at- tention to sheep and horses. For some twelve years he operated a cheese factory. Before he divided his land with his children he was said to be one of the wealthiest men in Auburn township.

Mr. Richards was married November 14, 1858, to Mahitable B. Snow, who was born in this township, February 3, 1828, being the second daughter of Lorin and Serintha Snow, who are among the first settlers in Auburn township, where they successfully conducted farming operations. Mr. and Mrs. Richards

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have had four children, of whom we make the following record: Eliza S. was born Septem- ber 20, 1852, and is the wife of Oliver E. Ludlow, youngest son of Dr. O. W. Ludlow, of Auburn: they have five children-Hoyt G., Wick O., Day L., Rex E. and Belle E .; Ella P. Richards was born February 1, 1855, is the wife of O. W. Giles, a prosperous farmer of Auburn: they have had two children-Min- nie, who died at the age of two years, and Hazel G .; Lorin G. Richards was born Jan- uary 17, 1860, married Vernie, the only daughter of Lothrop and Betsy Reed of Bur. ton, Geauga county, Ohio; he now resides just across the road from his old home, where he is quite extensively engaged in farming, cultivating about 500 acres, and being also interested in the raising of horses; Lura S. was born February 16, 1865, and died at the age of three years.

Mr. Richards has for many years-in fact since the organization of the association- maintained a great interest in the work of the Geauga County Agricultural Society, whose fairs are held in Burton. For the past twenty years he has been a member of the executive board, having served as president, vice-presi- dent and director, being one of the directors at the present time. In his younger days he was one of the most enthusiastic and exten- sive exhibitors of cattle at the annual fairs.

A LFRED PHELPS, JR .-- Of the many people who have lived in Chardon and have crossed the " great divide " into eternity, there are none more worthy of a place on the pages of this history than the one whose name stands at the head of this memoir, the citizen-soldier, Alfred Phelps, Jr. He was born at Chardon, Ohio,

July 2, 1827, and was the son of Judge Alfred Phelps, Sr., and Anne B. Towsly. The elder Phelps was born at Aurora, New York, April 3, 1792, and was the son of Hon. Seth Phelps, who was a native of Connecti- cut, where he was born November 17, 1751. He was a distinguished soldier of the Revo- lution, and concerning him there was a very interesting Revolutionary romance. He mar- ried Lucy Ledyard, a sister of General Led- yard and a niece of Colonel Ledyard, who was slain by a British officer while heroically de- fending a post at Groton, Connecticut, against an attack led by Benedict Arnold. When a body of troops was marching through a town in Connecticut one day during the Revolu- tion, there stood among the admiring throng a beautiful young maiden, who, pointing to a gallant young officer in the column, remarked, " Do you see that handsome young officer? He will be my husband some day." This young maiden was Lucy Ledyard. She be- came the wife of the brave officer, Seth Phelps, September 10, 1780. He was with General Wayne when he carried Stony Point with unloaded muskets, and was aide to Washington at the great day of Monmouth. He served through the Revolution and was noted always for his efficiency and gallant conduct. The Ledyards were distinguished not only for their historical but social promi- nence.

After the war Seth Phelps, in company with John Walworth, purchased a tract of several hundred acres of land, now the site of the beautiful town of Aurora, Cayuga county, New York, to which he removed about the year 1790. Here he built him a fine house, which became somewhat famous as "Castle McComber." He laid out the town of Aurora, and was appointed President Judge of a court answering to the Ohio

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Court of Common Pleas. Later, on the di- vision of Herkimer county, Aurora became the county seat, and of the new county of On- ondaga Judge Phelps, though not a lawyer by profession, was made County Judge. He held varions public positions, and was for many years a member of the New York Assembly. He sold his property in New York, and about the year 1813 removed to Parkman, Ohio, where he purchased a large tract of land, and where he died in 1826, much respected and regretted by all. Judge Seth Phelps was a man of magnificent phy sique and noble presence; he was tall and commanding, with an intellectual head and a face handsome in youth and of marked symmetry and power throughout his entire life. It was little wonder that the fair Lucy picked him out from among the many sol- diers who were fighting to make a nation: little wonder that she subsequently loved him and became his wife.

Seth Phelps and the fair Lucy became the parents of six children: Seth, Jr., who was a physician and died in Demerara, South America; Lucy, who became the wife of Judge Robert B. Parkman; Ann, who was married to Samuel Ledyard, II; Mary, the wife of Captain Edward Paine of Chardon; Alfred and Edwin G. Mrs. Phelps died at the birth of the latter, March 9, 1796.

Alfred Phelps, the father of the subject of this biography, was born at Aurora, New York, April 3, 1792. His childhood and youth were saddened by the untimely death of his mother, which left a deep impression on his memory. His early years were spent on the beautiful shores of Cayuga Lake, where he was wont to dream and meditate upon his future life. At the age of nine years he ac- companied his sister Lucy and her husband, Judge Parkman, to Ohio. He passed several

years in Parkman, and then returned to Aurora, New York, where great care was taken of his education. He was fond of study and possessed a superior mind, though modest and diffident. When the war of 1812 broke out he, though only a youth of eighteen years, was as eager to go to the de- fense of the Government as his distinguished father was to establish it, and was appointed Lieutenant of infantry in the regular army. His regiment was ordered to the Niagara frontier, and formed a part of Van Renssel- aer's force at the ill-starred battle of Queens- town, where, as history records, the militia refused to cross over the river to the aid of the regulars who had made a successful land- ing. Their excuse was that it was unconsti- tutional for militia to march off the national soil. Seth Phelps, in his effort to cross, was carried down the river below the proper point and was obliged to land under a steep bank lined with British musketeers, who opened their deadly fire. Nothing daunted, young Phelps jumped ashore, formed his men and attempted to lead them up the almost per- pendicular bank under a slaughterous fire; many of his command were killed; some re- treated under cover; a few followed their gallant leader toward the top, there to be killed or captured. Lieutenant Phelps, sword in hand, had nearly gained the height when a shot struck him across the forehead, carrying away the left brow and leaving a scar which he carried through life. He fell and rolled down the bank, where he remained unconscious until the battle was over. The cowardice of the militia compelled Colonel Winfield Scott to surrender, and Lieutenant Phelps with others was taken prisoner. Soon after capture he, with other prisoners, was about to be massacred by Brock's Indians, but was saved by the great daring of Scott

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and the timely intervention of British offi- cers. He and the other officers were paroled & and sent to Albany. The United States had then no officers to give in exchange, but fin- ally President Madison and his war council decided that the paroled officers could do garrison duty, and Lieutenant Phelps and his associates were ordered to rejoin the troops stationed at the forts, so they can take the field. There was no alternative for Phelps but to break his parole of honor or to resign. The latter, much to his regret, he felt com- pelled to do. In this course he was upheld by his father, who, with other prominent men, had made an unsccessful effort to have a change made at Washington in the order of the war office. Young Phelps' mili- tary career was thus early cut off, much to his disappointment, for he felt that he was especially fitted for the profession of arms, and in it lay his road to fame.

He went back to his books and finally re- turned to Ohio, studied law under Judge Parkman, was admitted to the bar and estab- lished himself as an attorney in the village of Parkman, in 1821. Previous to this, July 1, 1820, he was united in marriage to Anne B. Towsly, a maiden whom he had wooed and won, and a native of Aurora. He resided at Parkman five years, during a part of which time he was Prosecuting Attorney, discharg- ing the duties of this office with ability. It was while holding this office that he prose- cuted and convicted Benjamin Wright for the murder of Warner, Wright being the only man ever hanged in Geauga county. In 1826, Mr. Phelps removed to Chardon and opened his office, which was for many years the only law office in the town. Here he es- tablished the first newspaper in the county, which he for several years successfully con- ducted. He was an able and vigorous writer

and had a taste as well as a natural gift for editorial work. He had a high standard as to what an editor should be, and was above the slang style and reckless tone of the present day in the conduct of his paper. He had a relish for literature of the higher order. In politics he was a Whig and was a strong sup- porter of Henry Clay. He had for his law partners, first, A. G. Riddle, then A. H. Thrasher. In 1842, he was elected to the Legislature and re-elected in 1844. In 1854 he became an independent candidate for Probate Judge and was elected. He filled these positions with marked ability and to the satisfaction of his constituents.

He became the father of five children: Eliza, who died unmarried; Seth L., who be- came a distinguished soldier during the late war, serving in the navy under Commodore Foote and in command of gunboats on the Cumberland, Tennessee, Mississippi and Red rivers. Afterward was agent of the United States mail steamship company to China and Japan. He was made Vice President of the company and his duties took him to South America, Europe and Asia repeatedly. Sub- sequently he left the service of this company and was appointed by President Grant one of the Commissioners of the District of Co- lumbia. He was subsequently appointed by President Arthur as Minister to Peru, where he died about the year 1885. The next child was the subject of this sketch; then Mary, who became the wife of Dr. H. M. Mixer, of Iowa; Edwin F. and Lucian, who died in infancy.

Judge Phelps died in 1864. His widow survived him many years, departing this life in 1882. Judge Phelps was of the larger mold, like his ancestors. He was of full height, dignified in bearing, with an intellect- uality strongly stamped on his features, was

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polished in manners and a gentleman of the old school. He was logical, forcible and at- tractive in conservation, always choice in his diction and happy in illustrations. In his profession, his chief part was in chancery and probate cases. He was by nature tender and gentle, yet withal capable of great firmness. He was devoted to his family, was a kind, sympathetic neighbor and a firm and true friend, aud greatly beloved by those to whom his character was thoroughly revealed. He had an exalted idea of mauhood, exceedingly conscientious, guiding his life by the highest standard of justice, truth and honor.

Alfred Phelps, Jr., secured his education in the schools of Chardon and vicinity, which instruction was supplemented by extensive reading. He read law in his father's office, was admitted to the bar and subsequently formed a law partnership with A. G. Riddle and engaged in practice up to the time of the rebellion. Confinement was not his to taste; he was a man of broad manhood, full of energy and vitality, fond of the open air, the sports of the field and the forest, like all of his family. When the war broke out he volunteered his services to the country and was placed as paymaster on the gunboat " Conestoga," then commanded by his brother Seth. He was not adapted for a paymaster, especially in war time; the Phelpses were not constructed that way. He was soon trans- ferred to the flag-ship " Eastport," a famous guuboat, as Master, and subsequently was assigned to the command of the "Cham- pion." During the war he commanded differ- ent boats, and at one time a small fleet, but the boat he commanded the longest time was the " Champion." He was in service on the Cumberland, Tennessee, Mississippi and Red rivers, was at the siege of Fort Henry, Donelson, Island No. 10, and took part in

many of the important engagements and manoeuvers of our navy on those rivers, most of the time under Commodore Foote. He was one of the most daring, gallant and self-possessed officers of the navy, always at the front where the contest was the fiercest, and the danger the greatest. One of his noted exhibitions of coolness and bravery was on White river. In one of his engagements with the enemy on shore a cannon ball struck and penetrated the boiler of his boat, causing an explosion and forcing his men who were scalded into the river for relief, but thus ex. posing them to the deadly fire of the enemy. Not in the least daunted, Commander Phelps took a small boat and went to the rescue of his men amid a shower of hail and shot, and saved the lives of many of them.

During the Red river expedition he was stationed at the mouth to guard the entrance, much to his chagrin, as he wanted to take part in the active movements against the enemy. He asked the department that he be allowed to join the expedition, and on being refused tendered his resignation on account of ill health and returned home.

As an officer, Commander Phelps ranked high and had the confidence and admiration not only of those under him but of his su- periors in command.

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Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake, Part 104

Author: Lewis Publishing Company. cn Publication date: 1893 Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1094

Author: Lewis Publishing Company. cn
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1094